Hair curling device



Feb.

A. J. WHITEHILL H HAIR CURLING DEVICE Filed Ap ril 12, 1955 INVENT OR Albert J. Whifehill BY r577 ATTORNEY 5 HAIR CURLING DEVICE Albert J. Whitehill, Butler, Pa.

Application April 12, 1955, Serial No. 500,737

17 Claims. (Cl. 132-40) This invention relates to a hair curling device and is directed particularly to devices of this character designed for the forming of flat curls such as pin curls and the like.

Conventional practice in the art of curling womens hair involves the wrapping of a lock or group of hair strands around the finger to form a tight curl and then slipping the same from the finger and securing the loops or convolutions together by means of a resilient gripping pin.

Another way of forming the curl is to wrap or wind the hair around a form and then secure the hair against unwinding from the form by a clamping means either carried by the form or consisting of a separate part. Wave lotions or setting lotions are then applied to the curls and, in some methods, neutralizers are later applied and the hair then washed while the curl is still secured in the wound form.

Curling the hair by the methods outlined leaves many things to be desired. For example, as there are hardly two hairs on the head of the same length it is quite impossible to make smooth curls or to gather in the ends of the individual hairs or strands and hold them in the curl while the setting solution is drying. As a result, such ends remain uncurled and have an unattractive appearance, especially where the hair ends may be split or frayed, which is most often the case.

Many people find it dificult to wind the hair on the finger and, where pins are used, to hold the curl in shape while the pin is being applied. Also in curling certain types of hair which tends to be springy, the pins will not remain in place but are pushed off by the tendency of the resilient hair to straighten out, or in other words, by the tendency of the curl to unwind.

The use of metal securing pins or other devices for holding the twisted or wound hair also frequently results in the staining of the hair and/ or skin by the formation of coloring compounds resulting from chemical reaction between the setting solution and the metal of the pins.

in the light of the foregoing, it is a particular object of the present invention to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a new and novel hair curling device by which the difficulties above outlined, encountered in the curling of the hair according to conventional practices, are reduced or entirely eliminated.

More particularly it is an object of the present invention' to provide a new curling device whereby a group of hair strands or a lock of hair may be easily wound in a tight curl and-securely held without employing pins or clasps while different lotions or solutions are applied and while the hair is drying.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new hair curling device by means of which the ends or tips of the hair strands are drawn or wound in tightly so that the curl is formed entirely to the ends of the strands even though the hair strands may be split or frayed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a ited States Patent 2,781,047 Patented Feb. 12, 1957 new hair curling device which is designed in a novel manner whereby it may be easily applied to a tress or lock of hair and manipulated to wind the same into the desired curl, by the use of one hand only while the other hand is used to hold the lock in the initial position necessary for the application of the device thereto.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a hair curler of the new and novel form wherein the release of the curl after the same has been set, may be effected easily and quickly by the separation of two parts, one of which consists of a bobbin on which the lock of hair was wound, and the other part consisting of a forming shell in which the curl was formed in the winding operation.

The foregoing and possibly other objects are attained by the provision of two units one of which comprises a bobbin embodying a base disc and a post or arbor and the other unit embodying a circular shell designed for attachment to the base of the bobbin in such a way that it may be rotated with respect thereto while at'the same time being securely coupled therewith to prevent accidental separation. The base portion of the bobbin is provided with a radial hair receiving recess or slot with which a slot formed in the wall of the shell is aligned in the initial placement of the parts together to receive the'lock of hair which is to be curled and the base portion of the bobbin carries a movable latching element which, after the hair lock has been placed in the slot of the base and the opening of the shell, is shifted to confine the lock against escape. Cooperating means between the shell and the post or arbor of the bobbin maintains the parts in proper position for rotation of the shell whereby the lock of hair is wound by such rotation of the shell around the arbor and fully drawn into the shell so that the tips thereof will be firmly compressed therein. The necessary waving solution or other solutions are then applied to the curl in the shell through suitable openings provided in the shell walls. Release of the curl is eifected by moving the shell to a predetermined position relative to the base whereby the two units can be separated and by then reversely shifting the latching element the bobbin is readily removed from the curl.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detail description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of the specification, with the understanding that the invention is not confined to a strict conformity with the showing of the drawing but minor changes and modifications may be made in the invention so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of the hair curling device of the present invention showing the two units thereof in separated relation;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the same showing the hair lock securing latch in open position;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view in latch;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail showing a modification of the securing means between the latch and the underside of the bobbin;

Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, illustrate steps in the application of the hair curling device to a lock of hair, Fig. 6 illustrating the manner in which the group of hairs or lock is first held with one hand; Fig. 7 illustrating the initial application of the curling device to the lock with the latch element closed; Fig. 8 illustrating the position in which perspective of the hair lock securing the curling device is moved on the lock of hair after the closing of the latch and Fig. 9 illustrating the final position after rotating the lock encasing strand to produce the curl and completely encloseor encase the same.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, it will be seen that the hair curling device of the present invention comprises two individual parts or units designated generally as 10 and 12. Unit 10 constitutes the bobbin portion on which the curl is formed while the unit 12 constitutes the encasing shell which forms the curl and receives it by being rotated relative to the bobbin.

The bobbin 10 comprises a base 14 preferably in the form of a disc of thin material which is defined by an upstanding encircling rib 16.

At diametrically opposite sides of the base 14there are formed the radially outwardly projecting lugs 18. The upper face of each of these lugs is channeled as indicated at 21 along an arcuate path concentric with the base or disc and the outer part of the lug outwardly of this channel forms a finger engaging flange 21 the outer surface of which is grooved or ribbed as indicated at 22 to facilitate holding the device in the manner hereinafter described.

The lugs 18 form an integral part of the rib 16 and each lug is of somewhat greater height than the rib and carries the inwardly projecting locking tongue 23' which as is clearly shown in Fig. 1, extends slightly beyond the inner face of the rib 16. I

Beneath the locking tongues the base 14 has an opening 24 which is a construction opening produced by the mold in which the device is shaped.

Formed integral with the base, as shown most clearly in Fig. 3, is an upstanding arbor or post 25 which is provided with the axial passage 26, enlarged at its upper end to form a socket 27 for the purpose about to be described.

The base 14 is provided with a radial slot 28 which opens through the periphery thereof, as illustrated, and through the rib 16. This slot is formed to receive the lock of hair in the application of the curler and it extends inwardly to close proximity with the arbor or post 25 as shown in Fig. 1.

At the opposite side of the post from the slot the base 14 has formed therein the arcuate slot 29 which is concentric with the post and coacts with the stop element carried by the hereinafter described latch member. The slot 28 is preferably formed midway between the lugs 18.

Positioned against the under face of the base 14 is the latch element which is generally designated 30. This latch element comprises a plate 31, a portion of which is substantially semi-circular in form and has therethrough a pivot opening 32 at the radial'center thereof. In the semi-circular portion of the plate, which is designated a, there is formed concentric with the opening 32 the open slot 33 which provides the arcuate latch finger 34 the outer or free end of which is tapered as indicated at 35. The opposite side of the plate in a radial direction from the semi-circular portion a is extended radially to form the finger lug 36 the outer edge of which is roughened or knurled as indicated. at 37 to facilitate engagement of the finger therewith or actuation of the latch plate when the latter is mounted in position upon the underside of the base 14. When the plate is so mounted against the underside of the base 14 the aperture 32 will be aligned with the passage 26;and a suitable pivot pin 33 is inserted through the aperture and has a reduced portion 38 which extends into the passage 26 where it is secured in a suitable manner. The outer end of the pivot pin 38 is headed as indicated at 38 to maintain the latch in position and the latch is thus free to rotate on the pin Within the limits provided by the arcuate slot 29 in which is engaged a'stop pin 39 carried by the latch plate 31. The maximum diameter of the latch plate 31 is slightly less than the diameter of the base plate 14 as is clearly shown in Fig.- 2 and as also shown in this figure, when the latch plate is mounted in the manner described the outer edge of the finger lug 36 will lie slightly beyond the periphery of the base 14 whereby it may be conveniently engaged by the finger when the device is in operative position. It will also be seen upon reference to Fig. 2 that in one position of the latch plate which may be defined as the open or released position, the finger 3-4 has its free end at one side of the slot 28'and when the latch plate is turned to the closed position, this finger extends across the outer end of the slot 28' as shown in dotted lines, thus leaving or forming an enclosed area with theinner end of the slot 28, as indicated'at 41), in which the lock of hair is secured.

The shell 12 comprises a cylindrical wall portion 41, one end of which carries a top Wall 42 while at the opposite end there is formed the encircling outwardly projected interrupted flange 43. The maximum diameter of the shell to the edge of the flange 43 is approximately equal to the diameter of the area defined by the rib 16 and the flanged end of the shell is designed to position within the rib against the top side of the base 14 when the units 10 and 12 are assembled for use.

The wall 41 has formed therein :the entrance opening 44 and at the bottom of this opening the flange 43 is radially slotted as indicated at 45. This opening 44 and slot 45 are of a width corresponding to the width of the slot 28 and coact to receive the lock of hair which is to be curled when the units'are in assembled relation. 7

The width of the slot 45 of the flange 43 is slightly greater than the width of the tongues 23 and at the opposite side of the shell from the slot 45 the flange only is provided with a corresponding slot 46, of the same width as the slot 45, to receive a tongue 23.

The top 42 of the shell is provided with a. number of openings-47 into one of which the side wall opening 44 connects as shown. This latter opening which is designated 47 receives the lock of hair when the curling device is being placed in position thereon.

At the center of the top wall 42 for the shell unit there is formed the downwardly directed pivot stud 43 which enters the socket 27 in the upper end of the post or arbor 25 when the parts are assembled as shown in' Fig. 3, and formed around and concentric with the stud 43 is a circular rib 49 which closely encircles the endof the arbor 25 forming a step seat therefor. This connection prevents the catching of the hair strands in between the end of the arbor 25 and the inner side of the end wall 42 of the shell when the shell is being rotated in the operation of winding the lock of hair around the arbor or post 25.

To facilitate grasping and turning the shell, the outer surface of the wall thereof is provided with ribs or grooves 50.

In the structure thus far described there has been illustrated and described a separate pivot pin 38 by which the latch plate 31 is attached to the underside of the base 14. In Fig. 5 an alternative way of attaching the latch plate to the underside of the base is illustrated.

It is contemplated to make the hair curling device of the present invention of a suitable synthetic resin plastic and, therefore, when the pivot pin 38 is placed in position the inner end portion 38* may be securely bonded to the arbor 25 by an adhesive or by softening the material so as :to accomplish this result and if the pin 38 is also of plastic, a suitable solvent may be applied which will effect this bonding action.

In the connection illustrated in Fig. 5 the post or arbor is designated 25 and it is contemplated to form integral with the base 14 in the molding of this part of the device, a short integral stud 52 for insertion through the opening 32 in the latch plate 31 After the stud 52 has been inserted through the opening 32 the end thereof may be suitably softened as by the use of solvent or heat and swaged over as indicated at 53 to provide a flange which will prevent the removal of-the latch plate therefrom as will be readily seen, it being understood, of course, that in such swaging operation no adherence will occur between the formed flange and the plate body 31 so that the latter may be free to turn on the stud 52.

In the description of the operation of the hair curling device of the present invention, reference will be had to Figs. 6 .to 9.

Referring first to Fig. 6, the operator first selects the amount of hair desired to be curled, making sure to have enough to fill the curler, and twists the ends so that the hair is compact, forming the tuft or lock L. The curler has, of course, been assembled by joining the units 10 and 12 together, it being understood from the foregoing description that this joining operation consists in placing the flanged end of the shell into the area defined by the rib 16 in position to pass the tongues 23 through the recesses 45 and 46, after which, with the flange 43 upon the top face of the base 14, the shell is turned to bring the opening 44 and recess or slot 45 in line with the slot 28. The flange 43 at the two sides of the slots 45 and 46 will then be locked beneath the tongues 23 but the shell will be free to rotate.

While holding the lock of hair in the fingers of one hand as illustrated in Fig. 6, the next step as illustrated in Fig. 7 is to place the curler slot 28 and opening 44 over the hair lock under the fingers, the latch, of course, being in open position to permit this action, and after so placing the curler the latch 30 is turned to extend the finger portion 34 across the slot 28, thus confining the lock of hair in the enclosed area 40.

In the third step illustrated in Fig. 8, while holding the lock of hair taut, the curler is sliddown close to the scalp S and the base of the curler is gripped with one hand while the other hand is used to rotate the shell 12 to turn or wind up the lock of hair or curl it around the arbor or post 25. At this point either a left or a right hand curl can be made by rotating the she] in the desired direction.

The fourth figure, Fig. 9, illustrates the final condition of the hair curler when the lock of hair has been entirely or completely wound around the arbor 25 within the shell unit.

After the curling device is in the position shown in Fig. 9 where the lock of hair is entirely Wound up on the arbor within the shell, the desired waving solution can be applied by introducing it through the openings 47 and 47 with a suitable device such as an eye dropper or the like. After the necessary time has been allowed for the setting of the hair, if a neutralizer is required, this may be applied in the same manner.

Following this the curlers will be washed with a spray or by pouring water over the curlers and after suflicient time has been allowed for the hair to dry out or at least dry to a slightly damp condition, the curlers are removed by reversely turning the latch 31 and also turning the shell 12 to the position where the locking tongues will pass through the slots 45 and 46. The arbor portion can then be slipped off of the curl, leaving the same to be dressed in the desired or usual manner.

From the foregoing it will be seen that there is provided by the present invention a hair curling device which is of relatively simple design or construction and which may be readily formed of plastic or other suitable material by molding or the like and which also can be easily or conveniently applied and removed and will produce curls of improved character in that the curl will be formed entirely to the tips of the hair strands.

I claim:

1. A hair curling device comprising a bobbin member embodiying a base plate and an arbor rising centrally therefrom, the plate having a slot extending inwardly from the periphery thereof and terminating adjacent to the arbor, a curl forming shell formed to position on the base plate over the arbor, cooperating locking means between the base plate and shell permitting rotary winding motion of the shell on and relative to the base plate,

6. the shell having an opening adapted to be aligned with said slot to receive a lock'of hair when the shell is in one position on the base plate, and means for confining the lock of hair the base plate slot.

2. A hair curling device comprising two separable units, one unit embodying a flat element having an edge opening slot to receive a lock of hair, the other unit embodying a cylindrical shell having a wall in one end and a side opening, interlocking means coupling the other end of the shell with and against one side of the fiat element for rotational movement on the axis of the shell, an arbor fixed to the flat element and coaxial with the shell around which the lock of hair is wound, and movable means separate from but connected to said one unit for confining the lock of hair in said slot.

3. The invention according to claim 2, wherein said interlocking means comprises a circular flange carried by one unit and a pair of locking tongues carried by the other unit, said flange having slots for the passage of the tongues whereby the tongues are engageable over the flange and said coupling iselfected.

4. The invention according to claim 2, with means forming a pivot coupling between the arbor and the inner side of the end wall'of said shell.

5. The invention according to claim 2, wherein said arbor is formed integral at one end with the flat element, said arbor having its other end in close proximity to and in end opposed relation to said end Wall of the shell when the units are coupled together, and a coupling means between said end wall and the adjacent end of the arbor.

v 6. The invention according to claim 2, wherein said fixed arbor has an outer end provided with a socket, and a pivot stud carried by and upon the inner side of the said end wall of the shell for engagement in said socket when the units are coupled together.

'7. A hair curling device comprising two separable units, one unit embodyinga flat element having an edge opening slot to receive a lock of hair and a circular rib upstanding from one face, the slot opening through the rib, the other unit embodying a cylindrical shell having a wall in one end, a broken flange encircling the other end of the shell and of a circumference to fit in said circular rib, said flange being broken in two places each forming a slot, the shell having a side wall opening into which one flange slot leads, lock tongues extending inward from the rib and adapted to pass through the flange slots whereby to position the flange within the rib, the flange being engaged under the tongues upon rotation of the shell, a fixed arbor carried by the flat element on the axis of the cylinder and having an outer end detachably coupled to said wall in the end of the shell, and means carried by said one unit for confining a lock of hair to be curled in the flat element slot.

8. The invention according to claim 7, wherein the said means comprises a flat latch element pivotally attached to the side of the flat element opposite the rib and having a curved finger positioned to be placed across the outer end of the flat element slot when'the latch element is turned in one direction.

9. The invention according to claim 7, wherein the said means comprises a plate member positioned against the side of said fiat element opposite the rib, a pivot coupling between said plate member and the center of the flat element, said plate member embodying a curved finger concentric with the pivot and lying within the peripheral contour of the flat element and positioned to be extended across the outer end of the flat element slot when the flat element is turned in one direction to a predetermined extent, means forming a part of said plate member for facilitating turning the same by a finger, and means for limiting the turning movement of the plate member.

10. The invention according to claim 9, wherein the pivot coupling comprises a headed pin passing loosely 7 through the plate member and extending axially into and secured to the fixed arbor, the pin head retaining the plate member in position.

11. The invention according to claim 9, wherein the pivot couplingcomprises a pivot pin forming an integral extension from the underside of said flat element on the axis of the fixed arbor and passing through a pivot opening in the plate member and having a head upon its outer end retaining the plate member thereon,

12. The invention according to claim 7, wherein said tongues form a part of outwardly projecting grasping lugs by which the flat elementvunit is held in operative position, and said means comprises a latch plate pivoted to the underside of said flat'element unit and carrying a curved latch finger concentric with the pivot and adapted to be projected acrossthe outer end of to list element slot to retain. a lock of hair therein, and said latch plate embodying a radially extended finger lug.

13. A hair curling device comprising two separable units, one unit embodying a flatelement having an edge 8 14. A hair curling device comprising two separable units, one unit embodyinga flat element having an edge opening slot to receive a lock. of hair, the other unit embodyinga cylindrical shell having a wall in one end opening slot to receive a lock of hair and a circular rib upstanding from one face, the slot opening through the rib, the other unit embodying a cylindrical shell having a wall in one end, a flange encircling the other end of the shell and of a circumference to. position within the area defined by said circular rib, the flange having a the inner side of the shell wall encircling the adjacent.

end of the arbor for preventing binding engagement of hair between the wall and the arbor end, and means carried by said one unit for confining a lockof hair to be curled in the flat element slot.

and open at its other end, said wall having the edge thereof at the open end of the shell positioned against the surfacesof theflatelement, the shell having a side wall opening for alignment with said edge opening slot, means releasably coupling the shell rat the said edge of the Wall thereof with said one unit for retaining the shell unit in rotational attachment to the said one unit, an arbor carried by the said one unit and disposed in andcoaxially of the cylindrical shell and extending toward and terminating adjacent to the inner side of said shell end wall, iriterengaging means between said shell end wall andthe adjacent end of the arbor forming a pivotcouplingvbetween the arbor and shell wall, and means carried byv said one unit for confining a lock of hair to he curled'in the flat element slot.

15. The invention according to claim 14, wherein said pivot coupling embodies a step seat for the end of the arbor,

16. The invention according to claim 14, wherein said pivot coupling embodies a step seat for the end of the arbor, and a stud centrally positioned in the step seat and engaging in an axial socket in the end of the arbor.

17. The invention according to claim 14, wherein the last means embodies a finger element supported upon the underside of the flat element for movement across an end of the edge opening slot.

References Cited-in'the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

